Spinning-top.



No. 629,382. Patented m 25, I899.

a; w. MAc KENZIE.

SPINNING TOP. A uc'mm mm Oct. 29, 1898.)

(In Model.)

fnvenior:

Wiinasscs:

- top of the usual or any desired form provided UNITED STATES? PATENT OFFicE.

GEORGE w. MACKENZIE, 0F BEAVER, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPlNNlNG-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming" part of Letters Patent No. 629,382, dated July 25', less. Application filed October 29,1898. Serial No. 694,908. on model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, GEORGE W. MACKENZIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Spinning-Tops, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top and operative parts assembled. Fig. 2 is a partial view of the spinning-handle. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the sustaining-handle. Fig. 4 is a partial view of the extremities of the sustaining-handle and spinning-stem in operative position. Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating a modified constrpction of spinning-stem.

My invention relates to spinning-tops, and refers more particularly to the means by which the top is operated.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is a spinningwith a socket 3 in the upper end.

4 is a sustaining-stem adapted to be inserted in the socket 3 with a neat binding fit. This sustaining-stem is provided at its upper end with a head or button 5, which serves to support the stem upon-asustaining-haudle 6, provided with an eye 7 at its extremity, through which the stem is passed and upon whichthe head5 rests, permitting the stem to freely ro tate, as in the manner of a swivel. It will be noticed that the stem 4' is made in the form of a spiral, and, as shown in the principal figures of the drawings, it is made i of twisted strands of wire firmly secured to the head 5.

The spinning-handle is provided at its extremity with a narrow slot 8, adapted to em brace the narrow portionof the spiral in the manner of a nut, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that when the handle is moved upwardly or downwardly when so in engagement it will cause the stem to revolve in a forward or reverse direction. The handle is provided with an enlargement 9 in line with the slot 8, which permits it to be raised more rapidly by bringing such enlargement around the stem.

In Fig. 5 the sustaining-stem is shown as any spiral construction of stem will serve the purpose of spinning the top by its rotation under action of the handle.

In the operation of spinning the sustainingstem is first inserted through the eye of the sustaining-handle, in which it has a free pivotal hearing. The spinning-handle is then inserted over the end of the sustaining-stem which passes through the enlargement 9 for facility in passing it upwardly when the narrow slot is drawn into engagement with the spiral stem. The lower end of the stem is then inserted in the socket of the'top with a binding fit, the sustaining-handle is held in one hand, and with the other the operatinghandle is drawn downwardly with considerable speed and force, rotating the spiral stem and with it the top, and at the end of the stroke the handle strikes the upper knob or end of the top, dislodging'it from engagement with the sustaining-stem and throwing it downwardly onto any suitable surface, as a floor, where it will spin under the rotary effect of the revolving stem.

The operation of spinning is very simple,

and the top may be very easily operated, while the advantage of dispensing with the usual cord or winding mechanism will be appreciated by those familiar with this class of toys. Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

I 1. Mechanism for spinning a top consisting ofa spirally-shaped stem, a supporting-ham dl by which the stem is pivotally suspended and a slotted handle provided with an enlargement for inserting the stem, substantially as set forth.

2. A spinning-top consisting in combination .of a spirally-shaped stem, a supportinghandle by which the stemis pivotally'suspended, a handle en gagin g the spiral stem and adapted to rotate it by movementlengthwise of the spiral stem, and a top detachably supported at the extremity of the spiral stem, substantially as setv forth.

3. A spinning-top consisting in combination, of a spirally-shaped stem formed of mo In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE W. MACKENZIE.

Vitnesses:

PETER J. EDWARDS, O. M. CLARKE. 

